snap
Rookie
Posts: 93
|
Post by snap on Nov 23, 2002 0:17:41 GMT -5
For the people who are feeling like the habs are mediocre (9-6-4-0?) and will stay that way, then the column at the bottom is for you. Time for you to look ahead and feel that this season is a rebuilding year
But for us optimists, I still think we can do it with the gang we have. If not the cup, atleast what we accomplished last year. And here is my opinion.
I don't think we have to make a trade to be a contender, but it wouldn't hurt. Audette and Chow IMO are expendible and a much needed power forward would be a welcome addition to our first line, even and underachieving Brad Isbister would be IMO a welcome addition.
Also, Jeff Hackett is obviously valuable to us right now, and I think he might be the spark Theo needs to get going. There's nothing wrong with a goaltending controversy. Hackett said from the outset that he was going to try and make it to a #1 status, now whether his intention was with Montreal or with another team is not known, but I think he has proven to be a great puck stopper this season. Who knows, he might win a trophy or two this season if he played enough. (not likely, but a possibility) So I don't think trading him is an answer or requirement. Though, with the right deal, IMO I think anyone but Saku Koivu is tradable.
The only player I am concerned for right now is Jose Theodore. Does anyone remember Jim Carey of the Washington Capitals a couple of years ago? that's what I'm worried about. And if you don't know, well, lets say that he did what Theo did last year, won the Vezina too, but then sucked and disapeared 2 years later. I don't even know if he still plays hockey anywhere.
And a quick comment on the off ice crew. AS I think is doing and okay job. He may be conservative right now, but he has put a decent group together. Okay, we're not the Red Wings, Start or Flyers on paper, but he's working with the picks and moves "Reggi Fool" made a few years back. Our young guys are starting to develop and hopefully within a year or two, more of them will be comming out.
As for MT, I personally am not happy with him. Our PK sucks, our PP is only good on the first unit because of the natural goal scoring ability of the people on it. He can't keep a line together for more than 2 games apart from the Juneau line. And finally, the players have no respect for him. Three names come to mind, if Scotty Bowman has the urge to coach again where he already won a couple, Larry Robinson or the great Carbo. (for those of you who think coaches in MTL should always be Francaphone)
IMO Possibilities for next yeay, if no moves and everyone here is ready, ie-higgins + komi Zednik Koivu Chow Hossa Ribs Petrov/Audette Bulis Higgins Dackell Kilger Lindsay/Juneau McKay
Hainsey Rivet Markov Komi/Q-Ball Souray Brisebois
Theo/Garon/Michaud
|
|
|
Post by Ranger Ranchod on Nov 23, 2002 0:27:54 GMT -5
For the people who are feeling like the habs are mediocre (9-6-4-0?) and will stay that way, then the column at the bottom is for you. Time for you to look ahead and feel that this season is a rebuilding year What kind of fan throws in the towel less than 20 games into the season on a team that is 3 games above .500? Rebuilding year? Forget that stuff..... this team spent the previous 3 years rebuilding, they finally came together last year, and there's a real good thing developing in Montreal. Sh-t, you guys are 3 games above with negative goals from Donald Audette, a goalie who is more hot and cold than my girlfriend and you've STILL got Patrice Brisebois on defence. Rebuilding year.... buncha nonsense out of melodramatic overreacting fans.
|
|
snap
Rookie
Posts: 93
|
Post by snap on Nov 23, 2002 0:39:54 GMT -5
I think I came accross wrong. I dont think it's a rebuilding year at all. I meant the last part with the lines. Sorry if you mistook me for saying that I don't like the teams this year or anything like that. But I have read and heard from people, and some are extremely not happy, so I figured I'd get them off my back early.
|
|
|
Post by Ranger Ranchod on Nov 23, 2002 0:41:54 GMT -5
no no.... my apologies for not being more clear.... I'm not saying you were calling it a rebuilding year, I was just referring to the same fans you were referring to, when talking about rebuilding. I assumed, since I'm new here, there are some fans that are talking rebuilding already, which I think is a joke, if true. You're an optimist! You said that in the very next line!
|
|
snap
Rookie
Posts: 93
|
Post by snap on Nov 23, 2002 0:43:13 GMT -5
ok, just checking...
|
|
|
Post by Ranger Ranchod on Nov 23, 2002 0:45:48 GMT -5
no problem!
|
|
|
Post by Viper on Nov 23, 2002 0:46:30 GMT -5
I think I came accross wrong. I dont think it's a rebuilding year at all. I meant the last part with the lines. Sorry if you mistook me for saying that I don't like the teams this year or anything like that. But I have read and heard from people, and some are extremely not happy, so I figured I'd get them off my back early. the problem is the team hasn't won 9 games the goalies have stole a few that is a consistent trend carried forward from last year and needs to be addressed. and IMO ya we are mediocre as we are in a group of teams that have alot of work to do before really being a contendor. pretender status maybe by the end of this season but contendor no way. As for Hackett he needs to be moved if we want Theo to perform. The best performances we've gotten from Theodore is when Hackett has been injured. I think he's looking over his shoulder wondering if the teacher approves and he can't find his focus. It's time to move hackett. And as an Aside welcome aboard ranger but out of curiosity what brings you to an exclusive habs site ?? glad to see ya contributing just curious as i'm assuming your a rags fan ;D
|
|
|
Post by Ranger Ranchod on Nov 23, 2002 1:01:19 GMT -5
I'm sorry.... first rule.... I'm not allowed to talk about Fight Club. haha
|
|
|
Post by PTH on Nov 23, 2002 1:01:25 GMT -5
For the people who are feeling like the habs are mediocre (9-6-4-0?) and will stay that way, then the column at the bottom is for you. Time for you to look ahead and feel that this season is a rebuilding year Rebuilding ? Rebuilding ? Hum, HELLO ! Rebuilding implies that kids are getting chances and might actually get meaningful ice time - which really hasn't happened this year. Think of kids who've actually had a chance. Name 2. Hainsey could be argued about, but then again, we all know he'd never have gotten that chance without Souray being injured. Well, "optimists" can always put the best light on things, doesn't mean it'll happen. 4 years ago with Ward and Chouinard in the pipeline and a recent playoff win over Pittsburgh, we were rebuilding and things looked decent. Contender ? Contender for what ? I mean, does this team have much in terms of playoff potential ? Realistically, Koivu and Zednik are warriors, but the rest of our forward corps is small, weak, and disappears in playoff competition. Audette and Chow are more than "expendable", they are closer to being liabilities than to being assets. Audette is small, defensively he's more of a suspect than OJ, injury-prone and likely maimed for life, and we still owe him close to 9 million bucks. If José gets back on track, there are 3.5 million reasons to trade Hack - including the fact that if we get a good offer, it's good asset management. Carey had too much success too quickly, Theo has had to earn his lumps. People forget he spent quite a while in the AHL, and had Thibault ahead of him, and Thibault and Moog at times, too. Théodore may have overacheived, but I seriously doubt we'll see a "Carey" out of him - he's been groomed pretty well from the start and should be able to stay on track. Yup, a decent group of casteaways and spare parts, but much of the core of the team he inherited from Houle - Koivu, Théodore, Brisebois, Markov, Rivet.... Zubrus and Linden were Houle acquisitions that allowed AS to make his only big trade.
|
|
|
Post by PTH on Nov 23, 2002 1:02:09 GMT -5
Well, much of what's right with this team is from the Houle era. As to the young guys, let's wait until some actually show that they can play in this league, every year we hear about a great pipeline.... let's get at least some oil out of it before we rant and rave about all that's coming up.
Natural goal scorers on the 1st unit, what a thought. He should put Kilger, Lindsay and Blouin out there with Traverse and Quintal, then we could see if the PP system is worthwhile.... As to the lines, if MT did't have to play some players to stop his GM from looking like a fool for acquiring several times the same player, then maybe the lines could be more constant.
From the language point of view, Robinson would be fine, he speaks passage French.
Problem: where is Perreault ? He's got a no-trade clause you know. Hossa has yet to show he's NHL ready, Ribiero is still a green rookie, and playing those 2 with a Petrov or Audette will be one of the worst 2nd lines, ever. Higgins isn't NHL ready at all, he has yet to play a single pro game... What has Juneau done to be a part-time 4th liner, other than center a very consistent 3d line ? And without him, Dackell and Bulis haven't shown that they can contribute at all.
OK, why change around the pairings ? And why put this seasons top defenseman on the 3 pair ? And Traverse has a garanteed NHL contract, like it or not. Garon will likely be gone as a UFA, especially if we haven't traded Hackett in the meantime. And Michaud is years and years away. I think even next year he won't be in the pros.
Overall, you expect 5 kids next year on a team that has basically none now, I don't expect AS to change his philosophy that much, that quickly.
|
|
|
Post by MPLABBE on Nov 23, 2002 9:14:18 GMT -5
Rebuilding ? Rebuilding ? Hum, HELLO ! Rebuilding implies that kids are getting chances and might actually get meaningful ice time - which really hasn't happened this year. Think of kids who've actually had a chance. Name 2. Hainsey could be argued about, but then again, we all know he'd never have gotten that chance without Souray being injured. Yeah exactly. And the last 3 years weren't rebuilding either. It was just playing mediocrety together and hope they go somewhere. And Carey played in front of a GREAT defence. Johansson, Cote, I believe Kevin Hatcher,etc Carey's 3rd best d-man that year could have been our best last year.
|
|
snap
Rookie
Posts: 93
|
Post by snap on Nov 23, 2002 12:00:50 GMT -5
PTH and Marc, you guys/gals, I don't know, sound like whinny leaf fans who booed their new tender off the ice after one game. Have some confidence, I thought that was the point of being a fan, to have hope for the team, not slamming it at every chance you get
As far as Perrault in the linup thing, I forgot to insert him, he was suppoed to be where Higgins is.
For Ribs and Hossa, IMO they will both be playing, you can differ, thats your thing.
For defensive pairings, IMO, I think it would work with they type of player each is.
And so what if our tenders are winning our games, that seems to be our thing for the past decade or two. Roy, Moog, now Theo.
And I still do think they do have a shot at the cup with a little more size. We don't know how the new rules are going to effect things in the playoffs. What if that's where the most of the speed will come out.
And isn't Hackett a UFA next summer, so we won't be losing Garon, I think AS would take care of that imidiately. Michaud, okay, he's a ways off, but if we need him, he's there.
And I do see your point Viper about trading Hackett. I think that would also help Theo and possibly the rest of the team if we can get something in return. But that is the key now isn't it. Getting something in return. Again, I like Brad Isbister, even though he's got a lot of luggage and not everyone will agree with it. I think he would be also a good long term aquisition. Worse comes to worse, put him, Kilger and Lindsay/Mckay of the fourth together, decent bangging line, with some offence.
|
|
|
Post by MPLABBE on Nov 23, 2002 12:14:52 GMT -5
PTH and Marc, you guys/gals, I don't know, sound like whinny leaf fans who booed their new tender off the ice after one game. Have some confidence, I thought that was the point of being a fan, to have hope for the team, not slamming it at every chance you get woah there. Being a little harsh there yes sir!
|
|
|
Post by Viper on Nov 23, 2002 13:12:52 GMT -5
And I do see your point Viper about trading Hackett. I think that would also help Theo and possibly the rest of the team if we can get something in return. But that is the key now isn't it. Getting something in return. Again, I like Brad Isbister, even though he's got a lot of luggage and not everyone will agree with it. I think he would be also a good long term aquisition. Worse comes to worse, put him, Kilger and Lindsay/Mckay of the fourth together, decent bangging line, with some offence. Considering past history and the improved performance of Theodore while Hackett is not looking over his shoulder we will already have acquired big return's in goal and that doesn't include whatever returns hackett brings. Just moving hackett is a benefit thats the point. By the way i like your no holds barred approach especially as a new poster. That hey this is how i see it let's debate attitude is cool but don't go hitting below the belt that whinny leaf fan thing is not funny. LOL PTH and Marc have their opinions some positive some negative just like all of us but that doesn't make them whiny leaf fans. Cheers Viper And if i haven't said it yet welcome aboard.
|
|
|
Post by PTH on Nov 23, 2002 16:12:49 GMT -5
PTH and Marc, you guys/gals, I don't know, sound like whinny leaf fans who booed their new tender off the ice after one game. Have some confidence, I thought that was the point of being a fan, to have hope for the team, not slamming it at every chance you get Well, you can be a cheerleader type of fan if you want, but if you do so, don't expect your opinions to garner much respect. After all, we know ahead of time what you'll be thinking. OK, so that's what you'd like. So ? I mean, we should look at how AS does business to know what might happen next year, and essentially he hasn't given kids chances except when really, really forced to do so by injuries. Why would this change ? Well, Hainsey has to make the team first. And second, you should explain how AS will eat almost 3 million bucks worth of garanteed NHL salary for Dykhuis and Traverse. Oh sure, just add size, that's easy. Play Bill Lindsay with Koivu and everything is fine. The problem is getting players with both talent and size, or otherwise having high-caliber talent-based players that can be surrounded with grinders to make a good team. Unfortunately, we just don't have these guys, and the only guys I think right now are championship-caliber players playing their current-type roles would be Koivu (as #1a center), Juneau, Markov and Théodore. Most if not all of the rest of the team might be useful to a real contender, but not playing anything like the role we have them playing now. Actually, if we need Michaud I think he's nearly impossible to call up if he's in Junior one more year. As to Garon, unless we get him into 30+ minutes in 12+ games at the NHL level, he'll be a groupVI UFA. And Garon might not exactly feel he's had much of a chance in this organisation, so I doubt he'll want to stick around as a UFA, unless AS does his customary give-the-player-whatever-he-wants routine to keep him (Garon's agent can call up Rivets, Breezer's, Theo's or Dykhuis's for tips). So unless AS is looking to give Garon a 1-way contract for, say, 1.2 million US, I think we'll be looking for a new backup in camp. Hmm, Dafoe got an iffy deal from a team he didn't want to play in 'cause there were no other offers, which leads me to think the goalie market is kinda, well, awful, to put it bluntly. The only useful thing we might get for Hackett would be a 3d round pick or so, or some kid who might make it in 2007. As to Isbister, I think we'd all like to see him a Hab, but you won't get him for Hack. Besides, where would you play the kid ? We already have 7 players who need to be on the top 2 lines, and the 3d line is clicking. And you won't be able to get anyone to eat even more salary in a Hack deal.... I've been saying it since the draft, AS has painted himself into a corner.
|
|
|
Post by PTH on Nov 23, 2002 16:13:26 GMT -5
Oh, and, welcome aboard !
|
|